[Im Young-woong Syndrome] Singing as if murmuring... 1 Million Albums, 10 Million Views

Regular 1st Album 'I'm Hero' Records 1 Million Copies in Shortest Time
Solo Concert After 6 Years Since Debut, All Shows and Seats Sold Out
Ranked 2nd Among Popular YouTube Artists, 40 Videos with Over 10 Million Views

Lim Young-woong. Photo by Mulgogi Music

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Lim Young-woong is making new history in the music market and establishing himself as a cultural phenomenon.

His first full-length album, "I'm HERO (IM HERO)," released on the 2nd of this month, recorded 1 million pre-orders domestically and internationally in the shortest period. His solo concert, held six years after his debut, is also sold out for all shows. His past, when he sang in front of just 40 people, is now offset by his current ability to attract audiences 100 to 1,000 times larger.

Lim Young-woong's unique singing style, where he looks into the audience's eyes and sings as if murmuring, transforms the distance between the stage and the audience, TV and living room, into resonance. The immersion that comes from this intimacy forms a solid foundation of support and encouragement for him.

The COVID-19 pandemic became an opportunity to prove Lim Young-woong's true value in other areas. In the music charts and statistics compiled by YouTube for the second week of May, Lim Young-woong ranked 2nd among Korea's popular artists. The first place was the "world star" Psy. He appeared on the chart 119 times and achieved 13,486,981 views.

His videos that have surpassed 10 million views include "Baraem in Mr. Trot," which first introduced Lim Young-woong's charm to the public, as well as "The Story of an Elderly Couple in Their 60s," "My Love Like Starlight," "Regretting While Crying," "Hero," and "One Day Suddenly," among many others. About 40 videos have exceeded 10 million views, and the number of views is rapidly increasing.

Even in music programs, which were considered highly competitive idol stages, Lim Young-woong is at the center of the trend. KBS Music Bank caused controversy over abuse of power after giving him a score of zero for broadcast points simply because he did not appear on the show.

His influence in the music market is also solid. On the 20th week Gaon Chart announced by the Korea Music Content Association on the 19th, Lim Young-woong won a triple crown by ranking first for two consecutive weeks on the download, ringtone, and caller ringback tone charts with the title track "Can We Meet Again" from his first full-length album "I'm HERO."

The Lim Young-woong phenomenon is ongoing. It is spreading with the expectation that he can grow beyond a popular singer to become a representative singer of the era.